MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP

IAP 2013 Activities by Category - Religion and Ethics

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Alchemists and Mad Scientists: from Faust to Dr. Strangelove

Stephen Brophy, Lecturer, Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Curiosity is perhaps the defining characteristic of scientists in the popular mind, but a popular belief asserts that "curiosity killed the cat." In the popular imagination scientists challenge the boundaries of human knowledge, frequently paying a dire price for their audacity, and sometimes bringing that price down on the population around them. In this activity we will consider how science and scientists have been depicted in popular culture, starting with one manifestation of the widely celebrated Faust legend. We will trace the development in mass media of the evolution of alchemists into mad scientists, using the films "Faust," "Metropolis," "The Bride of Frankenstein," and "Dr. Strangelove" as our texts. Our goal will be a deeper understanding of the history of representations of science and scientists in Western narrative media.

Advance sign-up isn't required, but please email Stephen Brophy (stephbr@mit.edu) if you plan to attend so he can give you access to the activity's Stellar site.

Sponsor(s): Science, Technology, and Society, Comparative Media Studies
Contact: Stephen Brophy, stephbr@mit.edu


Faust

Jan/10 Thu 07:00PM-10:00PM 3-133

What do you do when you have it all and it isn't enough? Faust was the most highly respected philosopher, theologian, and physician of his time, but because he wasn't satisfied with all that he sold his soul to the Devil. And then what happened?

Stephen Brophy - Lecturer, Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies


Metropolis

Jan/17 Thu 07:00PM-10:00PM 3-133

Back in the good old days, when you built a city that had sunshine and sport for the 1%, but endless drudgery for the 99% who kept it going, you needed a mad scientist to run it all. And no scientist has ever been madder than Rotwang, the genius behind Metropolis!

Nicole Labruto - PhD Student in History, Anthropology, and STS (HASTS), Stephen Brophy - Lecturer, Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies


The Bride of Frankenstein

Jan/24 Thu 07:00PM-10:00PM 3-133

What happens when you build a creature with parts collected from graveyards and gallows, but neglect to provide him with a companion? He becomes monstrous in his loneliness. But maybe building a companion from the same materials isn't the best solution¿

Stephen Brophy - Lecturer, Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, Marie Burks - PhD Student in History, Anthropology, and STS (HASTS)


Dr. Strangelove

Jan/31 Thu 07:00PM-10:00PM 3-133

Mad scientists don't only haunt medieval castles - they also ply their wares in the most up to date War Rooms. What happens when a modern mad scientist builds a Doomsday Machine for the Pentagon? See this movie to learn how to stop worrying and love the Bomb!

Stephen Brophy - Lecturer, Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, Benjamin Wilson - PhD Student in History, Anthropology, and STS (HASTS)


Being Out and Being Jewish

Marissa Feinman

Jan/28 Mon 06:00PM-07:00PM W20 PDR 1 and 2

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Jews, Queers and Allies are all invited to hear Ethan Sobel share his personal narrative about being Gay and Jewish. Refreshments will be provided. 

Biography: Ethan Sobel recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) and is now pursuing his M.A. in Public Relations at Boston University. While at UMass, Ethan served as the co-founder of LGBT Jews, the university’s queer Jewish organization, and at BU he is the founder of JewQ, LGBTQ Jewish group on campus. Ethan is co-directing this year's Nehirim Queer Jewish Student Retreat happening in March at Boston University.

Sponsor(s): Hillel, GLB Rainbow Coffeehouse
Contact: Marissa Feinman, W11, 3-2982, hillel@mit.edu


Does God Exist? - Building the Scientific Case

Chris Swanson

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Is there evidence for a Creator? This series provides facts and insights from philosophy, cosmology and biology to show that belief in God is rational.  We will survey recent findings in the physical and biological sciences, as well as mathematical probabilities, which provide a compelling case for the existence of God. These lessons also show how God's existence offers a coherent explanation for objective and meaningful morality.  This is a 5 part series, including lecture and discussion.  Optional free dinner before at 5pm.  If you want to come for the dinner email fanqig@mit.edu.  

Sponsor(s): Campus Crusade for Christ
Contact: Chris Swanson, W11-004, 515-451-9542, cswanson@mit.edu


Does God Exist? - Session 1

Jan/08 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will examine how faith and reason are in harmony and start examining the evidence of God's existence from cosmology - is there evidence for a designed universe?  


Does God Exist? - Session 2

Jan/10 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

We will continue to examine the evidence from cosmology - looking at the design, beginnings, and fine tuning of the universe.  


Does God exist? - Session 3

Jan/15 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will look for evidence for God through biology...DNA, life's origin, and more.  


Does God Exist? - Session 4

Jan/17 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will continue our look at evidence from biology.  


Does God Exist? - Session 5

Jan/22 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

Our last session will look more to philisophical ideas that point to God's existence - specifically human morality.  Does our moral experience as humans point to the existence of God?  Is the existence of God the best explanation of human morality?


Experience How Christians Worship

Ora Gladstone

Jan/20 Sun 08:30AM-01:00PM Lobby - W11 RAC, No jeans please

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15
Prereq: RSVP and cell #-need to know who's coming

Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue invites you to join in our visit to 2 very different Christian services: 1) 8:45 - St. Paul's AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church and

2) 11:00 - St. Paul's Parish Church (Catholic). We will travel as a group to both Cambridge-based services. RSVP - ora@mit.edu

Sponsor(s): Chaplain to the Institute, Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue
Contact: Ora Gladstone, W11-035, 617-610-1060, ora@mit.edu


Experiencing How Jews Worship

Ora Gladstone

Jan/18 Fri 03:45PM-08:00PM Meet - Lobby W11-RAC, No electronics, women long sleeves,skirts or coat

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15
Prereq: RSVP and cell #-need to know who's coming

Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue invites you to join in our visit to two very different Friday night/welcoming-the-Sabbath services: 1) Young Israel of Brookline (Orthodox - ID required, cell phones off, no electronics/photos, women-no slacks). 2) 6:00 Temple Beth Zion (Spiritual, Jewish Renewal, song-filled) followed by a kiddush/light meal.

Sponsor(s): Chaplain to the Institute, Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue
Contact: Ora Gladstone, W11-035, 617-610-1060, ora@mit.edu


Experiencing How Muslims Worship

Ora Gladstone, MSA- Leaders of Muslim Student Assoc., Members-Addir Interfaith Dialogue

Jan/25 Fri 12:00PM-03:00PM Meet-Lobby W11-RAC, Women-long sleeves, head scarf

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/22

Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue invites you to join in our trip to the I.S.B.C.C. (Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center) for their weekly sermon, Jum'ah/Friday prayer and a tour of this beautiful center. Women please no bare arms and if possible bring a scarf.  617-610-1060

Sponsor(s): Chaplain to the Institute, Addir Fellows Interfaith Dialogue
Contact: Ora Gladstone, W11-035, 617-610-1060, ora@mit.edu


Is the Bible Reliable? Building the Historical Case

Chris Swanson

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Is the Bible a book of myths and fairy tales, or is it a book of history and truth?  Come for a compelling and intellectually stimulating defense of the reliability of the Bible, presented by Dr. Stephen Meyer.  This is a 5 part series, including lecture and discussion.  Optional free dinner before at 5pm.  RSVP for dinner to fanqig@mit.edu.  

Sponsor(s): Campus Crusade for Christ
Contact: Chris Swanson, CSWANSON@MIT.EDU


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 1

Jan/08 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will look at the Patriarchal Narratives (found in Genesis) and the Documentary Hypothesis, as well as examine the Biblical accounts of the Exodus (the Israelite journey from Egypt to Canaan).  Are these accounts mere religious propaganda or is there evidence that supports their historical accuracy?  Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 2

Jan/10 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will examine the Biblical records of the Israeliste conquest of Canaan and the time period under King David and King Solomon.  Archaeological evidence will be presented to support the accounts recorded in the Bible.   Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.  


Is the Bible Reliable - Session 3

Jan/15 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will examine the Biblical records of the Assyrian and Babylonia conquests over the Jewish people and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  You will learn the astonishing amount of agreement between the Bible and archaeology. Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.


Is the Bible Reliable - Session 4

Jan/17 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

The New Testament, although often maligned by critics, is actually the best attested and most reliable document from antiquity. This lesson examines the marks of historicity for the text of the New Testament - the early composition, internal consistency, and reliability of transmission - all of which outdo any other ancient work. Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for free dinner before at 5pm. Location will be emailed.


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 5

Jan/22 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This final session will look at the external corroboration of the New Testament as well as the events recording during the trial of Jesus.  Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.


Islam 101

Suheil Laher, Ahmed Rashed

Jan/22 Tue 06:00PM-07:30PM 1-132

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

- Is Islam a religion of peace, as former-President Bush declared after 9/11? - What is the Muslims' concept of God? The afterlife? - Who was the Prophet Muhammad? - What do Muslims say about Moses? Jesus? - What are the 5 pillars of Islamic practice (devotion)? - What is the Shariah? An opportunity to see beyond common misconceptions and negative media coverage.and to learn first hand about the beliefs and practices that characterize the vibrant, fourteen-century-old faith professed by over a billion people worldwide. Bring all your questions, there will be time for discussion!

Sponsor(s): Muslim Chaplaincy
Contact: Suheil Laher, msa_imam@mit.edu


SEEK: Explore faith in Jesus and connection with God

Adam Reynolds, Associate Chaplain

Enrollment: Advance sign-up helpful, not required
Sign-up by 01/10
Limited to 12 participants
Attendance: Attending all sessions strongly recommended
Prereq: Curiosity and an open mind!

Seek is a dinner discussion series exploring faith in Jesus and connection with God. Seek is designed to be a non-preachynon-dogmatic and zero-pressure environment that includes an emphasis on the practical aspects of faith, ample opportunities to ask questions, and informal discussions with a consistent group of similarly curious people.

www.mitseek.org

Sponsor(s): Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Contact: Adam Reynolds, 617-359-7457, ADAM1@MIT.EDU


Seek Sessions

Jan/08 Tue 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #1
Jan/10 Thu 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #2 (last day to join)
Jan/15 Tue 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #3
Jan/17 Thu 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #4
Jan/22 Tue 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #5
Jan/24 Thu 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #6
Jan/29 Tue 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #7
Jan/31 Thu 07:00PM-09:00PM PDR #3, Seek Session #8

Dinner is provided at each session! Each evening will include a presentation on a relevant topic followed by open discussion. 

Sign up at: www.mitseek.org/iap.html

Adam Reynolds - Associate Chaplain, Lanie Sandberg


The Adam Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

Rabbi Michelle Fisher, Chaplain, Reverand Kari Jo Verhulst, Chaplain, Dave Thom, Chaplain, Adam Reynolds, Chaplain

Jan/23 Wed 02:00PM-03:30PM W11 Community Room

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

An interfaith reading of Genesis 3 (the Garden of Eden).  Come study a central Bible text in an open, friendly environment and see how you understand (or come to understand) the Garden of Eden story in conversation with those of other faiths and viewpoints.  All welcome, of every and no religious affiliation. Co-sponsored by Hillel, LEM, Vineyard, Leadership Connection

Sponsor(s): Hillel, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Lutheran Ministry at MIT
Contact: Michelle Fisher, 617-253-2982, RABBIF@MIT.EDU